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Intel Xeon Gold 5520+ vs Intel Xeon Gold 6554S: Comparison
Xeon Gold 5520+ vs Xeon Gold 6554S l3 cache compared
On l3 cache the spread is 33%, Xeon Gold 5520+ 160 MB against Xeon Gold 6554S 240 MB, so Xeon Gold 6554S takes it. Measured rather than claimed: in SPECrate® 2017 Integer (base), 1-chip the Xeon Gold 6554S returns 338 against 263, a 22% lead. There is a split on boost clock as well, 4.0 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5520+ versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6554S. There is a split on tdp as well, 205 W on the Xeon Gold 5520+ versus 270 W on the Xeon Gold 6554S. Core count is not the same on both, 28 cores on the Xeon Gold 5520+ versus 36 cores on the Xeon Gold 6554S. Thread count is not the same on both, 56 threads on the Xeon Gold 5520+ versus 72 threads on the Xeon Gold 6554S.
Xeon Gold 5520+ vs Xeon Gold 6554S: which one fits your build
The Xeon Gold 5520+ is the one to take for enterprise virtualization and demanding server workloads, though it is not the pick for desktop use and gaming builds. The Xeon Gold 6554S suits enterprise virtualization and demanding server workloads, though it is the wrong buy for desktop use and gaming builds. Our rating of the Xeon Gold 5520+ (8.1/10): the Intel Xeon Gold 5520+ is a strong mid-to-high tier data center chip, well suited to enterprise virtualization and server duty. Our rating of the Xeon Gold 6554S (8.1/10): the Intel Xeon Gold 6554S is a strong mid-to-high tier data center chip, well suited to enterprise virtualization and server duty.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, release year, igpu, core architecture, base clock and socket included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Release Year
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 2023
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 2023
Core Count
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 28 cores
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 36 cores
iGPU
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- None
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- None
Thread Count
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 56 threads
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 72 threads
Core Architecture
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- Emerald Rapids
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- Emerald Rapids
Base Clock
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 2.2 GHz
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 2.2 GHz
Boost Clock
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 4.0 GHz
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 3.9 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 160 MB-33%
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 240 MBBest
Socket
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- LGA 4677
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- LGA 4677
TDP
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 205 W
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 270 W
Benchmarks
- General CPU
SPECrate® 2017 Integer (base), 1-chip
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 263-22%
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 338Best
Best published 1-chip result on spec.org, retrieved 23 Sept 2026.
Server-style tasks like compiling and compression on every thread. Best for judging workstation and server work.
SPECrate® 2017 Floating Point (base), 1-chip
- Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
- 362-17%
- Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
- 435Best
Best published 1-chip result on spec.org, retrieved 23 Sept 2026.
Scientific and engineering tasks on every thread. Rewards core count and memory bandwidth.
SPEC®, SPECrate® and SPECspeed® are registered trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. Copied by permission of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC). Results retrieved from www.spec.org on 23 Sept 2026.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 5520+ if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 6554S if you want the higher L3 cache (240 MB vs 160 MB), the higher SPECrate® 2017 integer (base), 1-chip (338 vs 263) and the higher SPECrate® 2017 floating point (base), 1-chip (435 vs 362).
Verdict
Intel Xeon Gold 5520+
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Xeon Gold 5520+ is a strong mid-to-high tier data center chip, well suited to enterprise virtualization and server duty.
Intel Xeon Gold 6554S
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Xeon Gold 6554S is a strong mid-to-high tier data center chip, well suited to enterprise virtualization and server duty.